Men who attacked teen in Belfast ordered to stay away from victim

The 17-year old victim required dental treatment after he was attacked in Short Strand

Two men who were part of a five-strong gang that attacked a teenager in the Short Strand area of Belfast were today (Thursday) ordered to stay away from their victim.

Riobard Allen (23) from Bryson Street and 27-year old Brian McMullan from Madrid Street each admitted a charge of assaulting the teenager and causing him actual bodily harm on September 2, 2017.

Belfast Crown Court heard the attack occurred around 5.30am in the Short Strand area, and the 17-year old victim required dental treatment after he was punched to the ground and subjected to further blows and kicks.

After hearing there have been incidents involving one of the defendants, the injured party and their families both before and after the 2017 incident, Judge McFarland imposed a year-long restraining order on the pair and told them to stay away from the victim.

The Judge also handed Allen and McMullan a 15-month prison sentence, which he suspended for three years.

Before passing sentence, the Belfast Recorder was told by Crown prosecutor Natalie Pinkerton that the 17-year old - who has ADHD - was walking home at around 5.30am when he saw a group of four or five men standing in the street.

A verbal altercation was sparked, which turned aggressive, and McMullan then struck the teenager several times in the face. The victim fell to the ground and at this point the group - including the two defendants - kicked him in the head and jumped on his back.

The attack lasted several minutes and came to an end when a taxi drove past. The teen walked a short distance home, and his family then called an ambulance. He was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he remained for several hours while he underwent X-Rays and a CT scan.

Several of his teeth were damaged in the attack, which required further dental treatment.

Ms Pinkerton said that McMullan was interviewed on October 20, 2017 and initially denied involvement. He told police he had been in bed at the time of the incident, and while he knew the victim, there was no bad blood between them.

Allen was interviewed on November 30, 2017, and said that he couldn't remember the date in question as he had knocked himself out with tablets. He also branded the victim's statement as 'absolute crap.'

Ms Pinkerton spoke of "a history" between the injured party and McMullan and their families. Citing two incidents which occurred last summer, the prosecutor said there were "a number of matters still outstanding."

The prosecutor said that while Allen initially denied involvement, he subsequently told Probation he only became involved to try and break it up. McMullan, she said, also admitted involvement but shifted the blame on to the injured party.

Luke Curran, the defence barrister representing McMullan, said his client had ADHD which together with a spinal injury had "affected his ability to work."

Saying there was "clearly a history between the parties", Mr Curran said that when the two saw each other in the street, verbals turned to aggression which led to fighting.

Defence barrister Sean O'Hare, representing Allen, confirmed his client has also been diagnosed with ADHA, that he left school with no qualifications and that in September 2017 he was living an aimless life.

Referring to the incident, Mr O'Hare said Allen "involved himself in a row that had already taken place" between his co-accused and the teenager, and that he and others involved themselves in a "clumsy way."

Mr O'Hare said Allen accepted responsibility for his role, and was "terrified" about being sent to prison and being away from his family. In addition, Mr O'Hare revealed his client is now addressing his addiction issues.

When Judge McFarland asked what the defendants and their friends were doing on the street at 5.30am, he was told they were "socialising."

In his sentencing remarks, Judge McFarland noted that after the teenager was punched to the ground, there were "four or five against him and it was virtually impossible for him to defend himself or escape."

The Judge also noted that the attack occurred at a time when most people are "safely tucked up in their beds."

After handing both Allen and McMullan a suspended sentence, Judge McFarland warned the pair that they faced jail if they offended over the next three years. They were also ordered to stay away from the injured party for a year.